Good afternoon Dominion Family! I hope each of you are enjoying the final days of Summer Break! As we count down to the big day and work toward ensuring each student has a strong start to the school year, I hope each family makes EVERY effort to attend our grade level orientations:

Grade 6 - Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Grades 7 & 8 - Friday, August 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Families will get important information on our curricular expectations, understand daily processes, procedures and expectations, as well as communication norms. Several community partners will be on hand to provide assistance to families - Directions for Youth and Family Services, Columbus Department of Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Clintonville Resource Center, Columbus Parks and Rec, Godman Guild and Whetstone Library Homework Help. And, did I mention DQ Dilly Bars? : )

Attending school orientation is crucial for both parents and students for several reasons:

1. **Understanding the School Environment:** Orientation provides an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the school’s layout, policies, and procedures. This helps both parents and students feel more comfortable and confident on the first day of school.

2. **Meeting Key Personnel:** It allows families to meet teachers, administrators, and support staff. Building these relationships early can make communication smoother and provide a better support network.

3. **Learning About Academic Expectations:** Orientation often includes information about curriculum, grading policies, and academic goals. This helps parents and students understand what is expected and how they can support academic success.

4. **Understanding Extracurricular Activities:** It provides information about available clubs, sports, and other activities, helping students and parents make informed choices about participation and involvement.

5. **Addressing Concerns:** It’s a chance to ask questions and address any concerns before the school year starts. This can alleviate anxiety and ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding school routines and expectations.

6. **Building Community:** Orientation fosters a sense of community and belonging. Meeting other families and students can help integrate newcomers and create a supportive environment.

Overall, orientation helps lay the groundwork for a successful school year by ensuring that everyone involved has the information and resources needed to support the student’s education and well-being.

In this week's newsletter you'll find information about two new policies in CCS regarding cell phones and chromebooks. You'll also find information about how students enter and leave school each day, food services, school nursing services, and school counseling services. Please refer to the information below. We hope to see you soon!

Fondly,

Dottie Flanagan

Doors open at 5:30 and parents will be asked to sign in. Please use the main entrance on Arcadia Rd. See the agendas below. Grade 6 is page one, scroll over to grade 7 & 8 on page two. Grade 6 parents and students will gather in the gymnasium on Thursday, August 15. Grades 7 & 8 parents and students will gather in the auditorium on Monday, August 19. We will be serving Dairy Queen Dilly Bars, Dairy Queen Ice Cream sandwhiches, Dairy Queen Gluten Free Dilly Bars and popsicles in the cafeteria.

The kids LOVE Dominion merch! Use the link below to purchase your t-shirts, sweatshirts and PJ pants! They make great gifts and are fun for our kids to represent! Go Polar Bears!

Research shows that student use of cell phones in schools has negative effects on student performance and mental health. Cell phones distract students from classroom instruction, resulting in smaller learning gains and lower test scores. Increased cell phone use has led to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in children. Therefore, it is the expectation that student cell phones remain in their locker, turned off at all times. The only place cell phones are permitted at Dominion is in Town Hall and in lockers. Failure to adhere to this new law and school board policy may result in formal school discipline.

Below is the school board policy around cell phones:

5136 - PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Students are personally and solely responsible for the care and security of their personal communication devices (PCDs). The District shall not assume responsibility for devices that are damaged, lost or stolen when brought to school or after being confiscated for violation of this policy.

Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.

Students may use PCDs before and after school, during after school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities), or at school-related functions. Use of PCDs, except those approved by a teacher or administrator, at any other time is prohibited and they must be powered completely off (i.e., not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight.

Students may possess electronic communications devices only under the following conditions:

1. Electronic communications devices must be set on silent, or vibrate mode at all times during the instructional day whether in the school building or on school grounds unless being used for instructional purposes as set forth in paragraph B(1) through B(5) below. Any use of electronic communications devices during the instructional day, including during lunch periods and change of classes shall be grounds for appropriate discipline. "Forgetting" to set the communication device on silent or vibrate mode is not a valid excuse for a violation of this requirement.

2. Electronic communications devices must be kept out of sight during the instructional day. Electronic communications devices must be kept in a locker, book bag, backpack, pocket or purse during the instructional day. Electronic communication devices shall not be kept in or on waistbands or other areas of clothing that can be easily accessed or viewed during the instructional day.

1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, students shall be allowed to bring their own personal electronic devices to school in anticipation for instructional uses. A personal electronic device is defined as a tool or product that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. The following technology tools and products are examples of personal electronic devices: laptops, tablets, cellular and wireless telephones, pagers/beepers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Blackberries or smartphones, Wi-Fi- enabled or broadband access devices, two-way radios or video broadcasting devices, and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real time or delayed basis, sound, video or still images, text, or other information. Lasers and electronic games are not considered to be personal electronic devices.

2. Students may not use permitted personal electronic devices on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view internet web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school or except as authorized by paragraph B(1) through B(5) of this policy. Teachers may elect to authorize the use of personal electronic devices to augment their class instruction. Internet access for personal electronic devices shall be only through secured, filtered school-provided Wi-Fi.

3. Students shall not be required to obtain or given additional credit or benefits for possessing and using personal electronic devices. Use of personal electronic devices beyond that authorized by this policy shall be subject to discipline under the Guide to Positive Student Behavior.

4. Acceptable personal electronic devices include laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras, and MP3/CD players (with headphones). Unacceptable personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, lasers and electronic games/toys.

5. Personal electronic devices and other electronic devices shall not be used to capture, record or transmit the words (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in the school or at a school-related activity, without express prior notice and consent of authorized school personnel. Unless authorized by the chief academic officer or designee, the use of any camera or device which contains a camera that takes still or motion pictures regardless of format is prohibited.

6. Students shall be informed that there shall be no expectation of privacy in the use of personal electronic devices with any district Wi-Fi network.

3. Electronic communications devices may not be used while traveling on district school buses except in cases of an emergency and approval by the bus driver, or as a result of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team decision.

4. During periods of state mandated testing teachers must request that students remove all devices from their possession, either by returning the devices to lockers or placing outside the direct possession of the student. If an electronic communication device is used at any time during the test administration, it must be confiscated and may be returned only to the parent or guardian. Any use of an electronic communications device during testing will be considered cheating and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

5. Building principals may grant individual students permission to use electronic communications devices during the instructional day upon advance approval based on unique circumstances or in cases of emergency.

6. Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams may grant individual students with disabilities permission to use electronic communication devices during the instructional day based on the unique needs of the student as identified in his/her IEP or 504 plan.

For purposes of this policy, "personal communication device" includes computers, tablets (e.g., iPads and similar devices), electronic readers ("e-readers"; e.g., Kindles and similar devices), cell phones (e.g., mobile/cellular telephones, smartphones [e.g., BlackBerry, iPhone, Android devices, Windows Mobile devices, etc.]), and/or other web-enabled devices of any type. Students may not use PCDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view Internet web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school. Students may use PCDs while riding to and from school on a school bus or other Board-provided vehicles or on a school bus or Board-provided vehicle during school-sponsored activities, at the discretion of the bus driver, classroom teacher sponsor/advisor/coach. Distracting behavior that creates an unsafe environment will not be tolerated.

Also, during after school activities, PCDs shall be powered completely off (not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight when directed by the administrator or sponsor.

Under certain circumstances, a student may keep his/her PCD "On" with prior approval from the building principal.

Except as authorized by a teacher, administrator or IEP team, students are prohibited from using PCDs during the school day, including while off-campus on a field trip, to capture, record and/or transmit the words or sounds (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person. Using a PCD to capture, record and/or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without proper consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted. Students who violate this provision and/or use a PCD to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their PCD confiscated and/or held until a parent/guardian picks it up, and may be directed to delete the audio and/or picture/video file. If the violation involves potentially illegal activity the confiscated-PCD may be turned-over to law enforcement.

PCDs, including but not limited to those with cameras, may not be activated or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include, but are not limited to, classrooms, gymnasiums, locker rooms, shower facilities, rest/bathrooms, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The Superintendent and building principals are authorized to determine other specific locations and situations where use of a PCD is absolutely prohibited.

Students shall have no expectation of confidentiality with respect to their use of PCDs on school premises/property.

Students may not use a PCD in any way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior. In particular, students are prohibited from using PCDs to: (1) transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, ancestry, or political beliefs; and (2) engage in "sexting" - i.e., sending, receiving, sharing, viewing, or possessing pictures, text messages, e-mails or other materials of a sexual nature in electronic or any other form. Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions will be reported to local law enforcement and child services as required by law.

Students are also prohibited from using a PCD to capture, record, and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using PCDs to receive such information.

Possession of a PCD by a student at school during school hours and/or during extra-curricular activities is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise abuses this privilege.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the PCD. The building principal will also refer the matter to law enforcement or child services if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g., child pornography, sexting). Discipline will be imposed on an escalating scale ranging from a warning to an expulsion based on the number of previous violations and/or the nature of or circumstances surrounding a particular violation. If the PCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned to the student's parent/guardian after the student complies with any other disciplinary consequences that are imposed, unless the violation involves potentially illegal activity in which case the PCD may be turned-over to law enforcement. A confiscated device will be marked in a removable manner with the student's name and held in a secure location in the building's central office until it is retrieved by the parent/guardian or turned-over to law enforcement. School officials will not search or otherwise tamper with PCDs in District custody unless they reasonably suspect that the search is required to discover evidence of a violation of the law or other school rules. Any search will be conducted in accordance with Policy 5771 – Search and Seizure. If multiple offenses occur, a student may lose his/her privilege to bring a PCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis.

A person who discovers a student using a PCD in violation of this policy is required to report the violation to the building principal.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the care and security of their PCDs. The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, or misuse or unauthorized use of, PCDs brought onto its property.

Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.

Safety truly is everyone's responsibility. Especially when it comes to our most valued treasures - our children. It is in that spirit that we have created systems to safely welcome our students into the building each day and safely get them off on their trip home. Our parents and community members are crucial to our systems working for the safety of our students. Below is an outline of how students will enter our school in the morning as well as be dismissed in the afternoon.

MORNING ENTRY

Bus Riders and Special Education Transportation: Students who ride CCS Yellow Buses and Students with Special Needs who ride vans or cars will be dropped off West Bound on Arcadia Ave. on the sidewalk directly in front of the school. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT NO CARS DROP OFF IN THIS AREA AND CONES WILL BE SET UP EACH DAY TO PREVENT THIS. Especially for the benefit of our students with vision loss and other mobility issues, it's imperative that no cars are in this area disrupting the system as these students need to be dropped off in approximately the same spot daily.

Car riders will be dropped off in the back of the school at the North Side entrance. Parents and caregivers will pull into the parking lot and be guided around to the back of the building. We will ask 4-5 cars at a time to drop off their students, then pull through and exit onto Arcadia Rd. Students should exit from the passenger side of the car if in the front or from the rear, right side of the car. Please do not pull around other cars. Expect to wait for 5-7 minutes daily, depending on when you arrive. Wait times during the first couple weeks of school will be longer. Students may also be dropped off at other locations like Tim Hortons or Lucky's, then walk up the sidewalk to school. Please plan accordingly. Students will be permitted entry into the building at 7:00 AM.

Walkers can enter the building from the Northwest, Northeast (Calumet Rd.) by using the walkway behind the stadium and entering the school through the North Side (Music Room entrance) entrance with car riders. Other walkers coming from the Southwest, Southeast (High St.) by entering the South Side entrance (Arcadia Rd.) from the sidewalk adjacent to the building. Please see the "Safe Routes to School" Map below to work with your child to find a safe route to school.

Bike Riders should follow City of Columbus Bike Routes and "Safe Routes to School". There are bike racks located at the ADA entrance to the sidewalk in the front of the school across from the school garden. Students should wear helmets and lock their bikes on the racks provided. Safety and Security Specialists will lock the entire rack around 8:00 AM to provide additional security for bikes.

AT NO POINT SHOULD ANY CHILD BE DROPPED OFF ON WEST BOUND ARCADIA AND BE ASKED TO CROSS ARCADIA AVE. PARENTS WHO DO THIS WILL BE REDIRECTED AND POSSIBLY REPORTED.

AT ALL POINTS IN TIME, STUDENTS SHOULD CROSS BUSY ROADS SUCH AS ARCADIA AVE. AND HIGH ST. USING THE CROSSWALKS. THERE IS ONE LOCATED AT HIGH AND ARCADIA, AS WELL AS AT CALUMET AND ARCADIA.

DISMISSAL

Bus Riders will find their buses on the North side of the building in the back of the school. Students will be dismissed at the direction of school personnel to their buses each day. Buses will leave the property no earlier than 2:35 pm each day. Staff will guide students from inside the building to the buses and other staff will be assigned outside at buses guiding students on. Please discuss with your child the importance of being prompt getting to the bus to ensure you won't receive a phone call to pick them up.

Car Riders will be dismissed to the auditorium to wait for buses to leave prior to being picked up by parents. Buses will leave at 2:35 pm and staff in the parent pick up line will begin moving the line. Parents and caregivers will be lined up in the parking lot and will pick up on the stadium side of the building AFTER parents have communicated to staff in the car line their child's name. Staff at the pick up line will call to staff in the auditorium. Students will leave the auditorium and walk out the main doors on Arcadia Ave toward the stadium where parents will have pulled around. Students will find their cars, get in them and go home. Parents who pick up students regularly will be given a mirror lanyard for their car which will show their child's name. Parents and caregivers can pull as far to the right as possible and other cars can go around. Students should enter the car from the sidewalk. Expect a wait initially. Once the system is used, all students are dismissed prior to 2:45 PM.

Walkers may leave with bus riders and follow their "Safe Route" home from school.

Bike Riders will be dismissed with bus riders and should follow City of Columbus Bike Routes and "Safe Routes to School".

ALTERNATE DROP-OFF/PICK-UP SITES INCLUDE THE TIM HORTONS PARKING LOT OR LUCKY'S OFF OF HIGH STREET OR THE PARKING LOT OFF OF CALUMET. Please plan ahead and plan accordingly.

It is the responsibility of staff, parents and community members to ensure our students' safety as they get to and from school each day. It is our expectation that we work together to this end.

Breakfast and lunch service at Dominion is offered free of charge to students. Breakfast is served from 7:00 am - 7:30 am. All students who come to school late are offered breakfast prior to going to class. Hot lunch is served in two areas in the kitchen by grade level at grade level specific times:

Grade 6 - 10:21 - 11:08

Grade 7 - 11:11 - 11:58

Grade 8 - 12:01 - 12:48

Students eat with their teams while the other team is at recess. Students are given approximately 22 minutes to eat prior to the transition. No student is forced to eat quickly and all students are offered lunch. Students are able to bring a packed lunch from home. Please click on Ms. Hill's name above to link to her email or call 614-365-6020.

Important information to note:

• WE DO NOT ACCEPT DOORDASH OR GRUBHUB ORDERS FOR STUDENTS. WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF AVAILABLE TO DELIVER FOOD.
• DUE TO FOOD ALLERGIES AND TO PREVENT HURT FEELINGS, PLEASE SAVE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR HOME.
• DUE TO FOOD ALLERGIES, FOOD CAN'T BE SHARED AMONG STUDENTS.
• THERE ARE NO "NUT FREE" TABLES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
• PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL NURSE OR OUR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, TAMI HILL IF YOUR CHILD HAS DIETARY NEEDS.

Michelle Treaster is our full-time school nurse. She is able to provide first aid, assess illness, conduct health assessments for vision, hearing and mobility, provide medical care for diabetes, severe food allergies, asthma, cardiac issues, seizure activity and tube feedings, among other treatments. Please reach out to Ms. Treaster through email by clicking on the title above or by phone at 614-365-6020 if your child has a medical issue or dietary need. Please see below for downloadable medical forms.

Please reach out to School Counselors, Abby Holmes or Bennet Doherty by clicking in the title above. We offer a myriad of social emotional support for our students through the Student Support Center. School counselors provide support to students through academic planning, college and career planning, self-assessment, mental health triage, conflic management, study skills and more. If your child needs social emotional support in middle school please let us know. We partner with Directions for Youth and Family Services for more serious mental health support. Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Doherty can help! Please reach out.

Supporting adolescent mental health at home involves creating an environment that fosters emotional well-being, open communication, and resilience. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. **Open Communication**:

- **Listen Actively**: Make sure your teen feels heard. Listen to their concerns without immediately offering solutions or judgments.

- **Create Safe Spaces**: Encourage conversations about feelings and stressors. Let them know they can talk about anything without fear of criticism.

2. **Encourage Healthy Routines**:

- **Regular Sleep**: Ensure they have a consistent sleep schedule. Adequate rest is crucial for mental health.

- **Balanced Diet**: Promote healthy eating habits. Proper nutrition can impact mood and energy levels.

- **Physical Activity**: Encourage regular exercise, which can help reduce stress and improve mood.

3. **Model Healthy Behavior**:

- **Stress Management**: Show them how you manage your own stress. This might include practices like mindfulness, exercise, or relaxation techniques.

- **Healthy Boundaries**: Demonstrate the importance of setting and respecting boundaries, including managing screen time and balancing work and leisure.

4. **Support Social Connections**:

- **Encourage Friendships**: Support their social interactions and friendships. Positive relationships can provide emotional support.

- **Family Time**: Engage in family activities that foster connection and create a sense of belonging.

5. **Promote Autonomy**:

- **Empower Decision-Making**: Allow them to make choices and take responsibility for their decisions. This helps build confidence and problem-solving skills.

- **Respect Privacy**: Give them space and respect their need for privacy, while staying available for support.

6. **Recognize Warning Signs**:

- **Be Observant**: Watch for changes in behavior, mood, or academic performance that could indicate mental health issues.

- **Seek Professional Help**: If you notice signs of significant distress or mental health concerns, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.

7. **Educate About Mental Health**:

- **Provide Resources**: Offer information about mental health, coping strategies, and available support services.

- **Normalize Conversations**: Discuss mental health openly to reduce stigma and encourage a healthy attitude towards seeking help.

8. **Encourage Hobbies and Interests**:

- **Support Passions**: Help them engage in activities they enjoy, whether it’s sports, arts, or other hobbies. These can be great outlets for stress and a way to build self-esteem.

9. **Create a Supportive Environment**:

- **Positive Reinforcement**: Offer encouragement and praise for their efforts and achievements.

- **Address Conflicts Calmly**: Approach conflicts with understanding and calmness, rather than anger or frustration.

By fostering a supportive and understanding home environment, you can play a significant role in helping your adolescent navigate the challenges they face and maintain their mental health.

Parents and students will receive communication several different ways! First, expect weekly mass emails, phone dialers and reminder texts to check emails from Mrs. Flanagan and/or the Dominion Parent and Family Ambassador. Secondly, request to be a part of the Dominion PTSO Facebook Group, a closed group which consists of Dominion parents and staff where you will see reminders and have the ability ask questions. The Dominion Middle School Facebook page shares good news, reminders and resources. Finally, the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is a must have to ensure you are in the know regarding your child's grades and attendance.

An ABSOLUTE IMPERATIVE is to ensure your contact information (household phone number, email and mailing address) is up to date in the Parent Portal, otherwise, you won't receive important information. Please reach out to Ms. Little if you need assistance setting up the parent portal.

Join us in celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the beautiful facility the Dominion North Polar Bears now call home! Public festivities will be held on Saturday, August 31 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM! Come hear the alumni band play, meet the men and women who walked the hallowed halls back in the day, hear historical talks and tour the building. It should be a lovely celebration for a architectural gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places! We hope you are able to join us!